Good Night Gorilla

[DoctorGilbertson]

Not sure what I think about this book

On one hand the zoo keeper's wife removes all the animals from their bedroom while the zoo keeper sleeps and takes them back to the zoo after the zoo keeper has failed to actually put them to bed and didn't notice the Gorilla letting them all out.

But, on the other hand, in the last part of the book is she didn't notice the Gorilla letting himself out again and still creeping back to their bed.

So, a good text, showing that women often have to sort out the messes that men make, or not really a great one because she does not completely succeed.

This is bothering me somewhat.

[FrankNCock]

Dunno, we just focus on the fact that the gorilla is really sneaky.

I don't understand why the wife doesn't make him get out of bed and take them back.

I don't understand why the mouse carries the banana around either.

I struggle with what to call the woman. Currently she is 'Mrs Zookeeper'.

[ZombiesAteYourCervix]

wht?

just what?/???

do you really have issues with godnight gorilla?


Really



you really need to get out more. Really.

[DoctorGilbertson]

Re: needing to get out more, well clearly, yes.

Re: Goodnight Gorilla

Why doesn't she make the zookeeper get up. Yes, very good point.

Re: the mouse, hmmm. BUT, I have worked out that the mouse would just be able to hop in and out of the cages as they have quite wide bars.

We call her "the zookeeper's wife" but yes, she probably shouldn't be defined by her husband. Sigh. More problems.

[SuchProspects]

I love that book - in large part because it has no words so you can make it up and sexes aren't assigned to the animals (a part from the lion).

We call her Ms./Mrs. Zookeeper and him Mr. Zookeeper, but I might try calling him The Zookeeper's Assistant and her Ms. Zookeeper, since my girls are just getting into the idea of helping out (sort of!). We mainly concentrate on the animals and how cheeky the monkey and mouse are though.

[jamma111]

Recently I've been working with Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource which campaigns against systematic and organised rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo (those who think British society is a 'rape'-condoning society would be shocked to find what a real rape-condoning society is like).

It is comforting to know that in the Western World, feminists are able to be concerned about the book Good Night Gorilla.

[Pagwatch]

I can't get past how bad the room would smell. So I am too easily distracted to be a decent feminist.

[midnightexpress]

Jamma, I think the OP is being slightly tongue-in-cheek.

DrG, we used to be most interested in the balloon. You can follow its progress until it is but a teeny tiny dot in the sky.

[Trills]

Just because your leg has fallen off doesn't mean my stubbed toe doesn't hurt.

[theothersparticus]

I can't get to the DRC, I'm always on the other side of the country from marches/ protests/ etc but I support charities that do help that and other causes. I am fully aware and accept that that's about as much as I can do.

However when it comes to the books that my neice and nephew (and possible future children) read I do have a lot more control and can help to mould a few more people who are aware of the issues, much like the OP is aware of what she can and can not directly influence.

[DoctorGilbertson]

jamma111 I am really sorry. In no way do I mean to trivialise the horrendous and appalling experiences that women are going through across the world.

In my small, priviledged, child focused world at the moment, I do often find myself thinking more about "Good Night Gorilla" than anything else. I am incredibly grateful that there are people who are working and campaigning - and I need to be challenged to think about the uncomfortable stuff too.

re: balloon. Really? Am at work, but we will check tonight. Re: the smell. Oh dear, yes, more problems. Re: The Zookeeper's Assistant/Mrs. Zookeeper - what a good idea!

[DoctorGilbertson]

Ms. Zookeeper, yes.